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Our first year of operating 50 foot plus yachts has been a revelation. They sail beautifully and also quite fast in not much wind, so the islands seem to be a bit closer together! Many of the harbours feel smaller and not quite as deep (funnily enough!) Certainly, these bigger yachts are more self contained and they tow a rib type dinghy with an outboard. Lying at anchor for the night and just going ashore for evenings is a popular option. These yachts are so nice to be on, that nobody is in a mad rush to go anywhere else! 'Kalokeri', our 52.3 is more of an 'owners yacht' as she features only three double cabins and a separate skipper's cabin forward. The cabins are very large as a result, especially the forecabin, and of course they are all en suite! 'Kalotaxidi', our new 50 footer also features en suite cabins, this time four of them! She also has a slightly smaller skipper's cabin up forward, so will be sometimes out with the flotillas with a skipper and sometimes sailed by you. After so many years on smaller yachts, everything seems to happen much more slowly on the larger yachts, and the luxury bits, like the chart plotter, the auto pilot, and the bow thruster can make us all a bit lazy - but then again, we are on holiday! Kalotaxidi also features mainsail furling to make sailing the bigger boat even easier. Having the four double cabins, plus the ability to have a double in the saloon, makes this particular yacht ideal for larger parties, especially groups of couples. These yachts are normally attached to 'Whole Ionian' and 'South Ionian - Zakinthos' flotillas, so they will be able to enjoy the North and the South Ionian Islands equally. They will of course also be able to join in with flotilla activities should their crews be of a social disposition. Certainly, our regular flotilla sailors shouldn't be afraid of the bigger yachts because of their size - in our experience they are as easy to handle as the 361's. They are already a special part of the 'Sailing Holidays experience' and everyone who went on the bigger boats in 2010 and 2011 has loved them! We can't forget our Bavaria 44's and 46's either - these hugely popular yachts are not much smaller and still have a 'big yacht feel'. They are also four cabin yachts so again, they are ideal for larger families or groups. Enjoy!
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